PORT ANGELES — A measure to lift the North Olympic Library System’s levy is still holding a narrow lead, according to the latest unofficial election returns.
As of the most recent update, the measure is passing with just over 51 percent of the vote. A total of 10,547 voters have approved the levy lid lift, compared to 10,113 opposed — a margin of 434 votes.
If approved, the measure would restore the library’s property tax rate from about 28 cents to 45 cents per $1,000 of assessed value, starting in 2027.
For a homeowner with a $400,000 property, that works out to about six dollars more per month.
Library officials say the levy makes up nearly 90 percent of the system’s operating budget. They argue the increase is needed because state law caps annual property tax growth at one percent, which has not kept pace with rising costs — effectively shrinking the rate over time.
Voter turnout so far is about 35 percent, with 20,677 ballots cast out of nearly 60,000 registered voters.